The Rise, Fall and Allure of the Iconic Edwardian Top Hat

The History and Styles of the Edwardian Top Hat

The top hat is one of the most iconic symbols of Victorian and Edwardian men's fashion. Though top hats originated in the late 18th century, they reached the height of popularity during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras between 1890 and 1910.

What Is an Edwardian Top Hat?

An Edwardian top hat, also sometimes known as a silk hat or stovepipe hat, is a tall, flat-crowned hat made from silk. The Edwardian top hat evolved from the earlier Victorian top hat style and adapted the sleek, glossy sheen that was fashionable during the Edwardian period.

Edwardian top hats were made from lustrous silk to allow them to hold their shape. They featured tall, cylindrical crowns tapering slightly at the top with rigid, curving brims. These elegant hats were worn by Victorian and Edwardian gentlemen as a fashion statement and status symbol.

When Were Edwardian Top Hats Popular?

The Edwardian era spanned 1901 to 1910, taking its name from King Edward VII who reigned over Britain. During this period, top hats remained a staple in men’s formal attire though they began to decline in casual contexts.

Men wore top hats with morning dress for formal day events and with white tie for the most formal evenings. The sleek top hat complemented the clean lines of tailored Edwardian suits. Well-dressed Edwardian gentlemen would be considered improperly attired without one.

What Are the Different Styles of Edwardian Top Hats?

There were a few varieties of Edwardian top hats that gentlemen could choose from:

• Opera hat - A collapsible top hat that could be flattened temporarily for easy storage at events like the opera.
• Silk plush hat - A less formal option more commonly worn in the country. Featured a deeper crown and brim.
• Homburg - A more casual felt hat with a shorter crown and stiff brim.

The standard silk Edwardian top hat, however, was a rigid, tall hat made from lustrous silk. Both professional and casual contexts called for slight variations in brim width and crown height.

The Rise and Fall of the Top Hat

To understand the significance of the Edwardian top hat, it helps to know the history of this iconic style and how it rose to prominence before later declining:

1700s: Early Top Hat Styles Emerge

One of the early precursors to the modern top hat emerged in England in the 1790s described as the “top hat.” An even earlier version was the French “bicorne” hat with an elongated brim. These styles revealed the beginnings of the tall-crowned hat.

19th Century: Top Hats Become a Symbol of Status and Power

In the early 1800s, the top hat evolved into its iconic status. The first version featuring a tall silk hat emerged around 1820 from famous London hatters, Thomas and William Bowler. By the mid 1800s, the top hat was a standard for upper and middle class gentlemen conveying prestige.

Early 20th Century: Decline of Regular Top Hat Use

Though the streamlined Edwardian top hat remained fashionable for formalwear, casual usage sharply declined in the early 1900s. The advent of mechanized transport made tall hats impractical. New military styles like the trench coat also emerged influencing masculine fashion.

1920s Onward: Top Hats Fade Away

After the Edwardian period ended, top hat popularity rapidly faded though they held on for formal events. The Great Depression made extravagances like silk top hats seem out of touch. Homburgs and bowler hats surged as comfortable, affordable alternatives cementing the top hat’s demise.

The Allure of Collecting Edwardian Top Hats

For history and fashion aficionados, Edwardian top hats hold an irresistible allure. Their elegant style and former status as iconic symbols of power capture the imagination. For those bitten by the collecting bug, top hats can quickly accumulate.

The Allure of History

Edwardian top hats instantly evoke images of London gentlemen in the 1900s commuting by carriage to the office in morning suits and tall silk hats. They epitomize an era that feels both sophisticated and solidly historical.

Fine Craftsmanship and Materials

From lustrous silk to grosgrain bands, quality top hats were crafted from fine materials rarely seen today. Discerning modern tastes appreciate both the handcrafted artistry and luxurious components of Edwardian top hats.

Position and Prestige

Few accessories convey status and class like the Edwardian top hat once did. To own a collection links the collector to the power and position the top hat commanded. Collecting top hats feels like claiming a symbol of former prestige.

Style Icon

The sleek style of a cylindrical silk top hat paired with a tailored three-piece suit cannot be denied. As striking as when they emerged, top hats remain fashion icons over a century later.

Is It Possible to Own Too Many Hats?

When collecting turns to accumulating, seasoned collectors warn against going overboard. But how many top hats are too many? Consider these factors when judging the size of a top hat collection:

Available Display and Storage

Top hats easily crush and lose shape without proper storage. Before accumulating too many, estimate storage capacity. Collect only what you can appropriately store and display.

Budget

Genuine antique top hats range wildly in price depending on age, condition, and craftsmanship. Be realistic about budget constraints. It’s better to slowly invest in top quality pieces.

Purpose

Why collect and what is the vision for the collection? Is the goal to wear, preserve history, decorate, invest, or just admire? Know the motivation and purpose before expanding the collection.

Without considering these practical constraints, it becomes all too easy for a hat collection to exceed reasonable bounds. But for passionate collectors in love with silk top hats, quantity often surrenders to the sheer joy they bring.

FAQs

What materials were Edwardian top hats made from?

Edwardian top hats were made from lustrous silk to allow them to hold their tall, cylindrical shape. The silk exterior covering stiffened layers underneath to create the hat's distinctive sleek silhouette.

When would an Edwardian gentleman wear a top hat?

In Edwardian England, top hats were considered standard formalwear for upper and middle class men. They wore them during the day with morning dress for events like marriages and horse races. For formal evenings, top hats paired with white tie dress codes.

How could you temporarily collapse an Edwardian top hat?

The opera hat was a specialty folding top hat popular during Edwardian times. It featured internal springs and hinges so gentlemen could conveniently fold it flat to stow away at events like the opera before unfolding it to wear when needed.

Why did top hats fade from popularity after Edwardian times?

Several factors led to declining top hat popularity in the early 20th century. New transport like cars made tall silk hats impractical to wear while driving. Relaxed fashions like the trench coat emerged too. The Great Depression also made extravagant top hats seem wasteful.